All of a sudden my gear shift would not push up into park

Tiny
MICHELLE FRAME RICHARDSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 120,000 MILES
It was as if it was stuck. I put it in drive and drove home. When I got home it would not catch into any gear it would just slide up and down. N for neutral is the only light that would light up.
Thursday, October 10th, 2019 AT 10:11 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,577 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros. This is a somewhat common problem. The cable that goes between the shift lever inside and the transmission has failed, Either where the cable snaps in place on the transmission end or the shift control itself. To figure out which you need to watch the cable where it connects to the transmission under the hood. Have someone look at where the shift cable runs to the lever on top of the transmission, Now move the shift lever inside the car. Does the lever move with it? If the cable move but not the lever the end bushing failed, these can be bought as replacements and the old one just snaps out and the new goes in.
If the cable doesn't move the problem is inside the car in the shift control lever. To get to that you need to remove the console and see what failed.
Removing the console isn't that difficult, you start by putting the seats all the way back.
Then remove the console retaining bolts that are under the front area of the seats. Lift the console at the rear and disconnect the electrical connector and slide the console to the back. That will uncover the upper console screws. Remove them and the console cover will come off.
That will let you access the shift control. These can be repaired but it's usually easier and faster to just replace the entire unit. For that you remove the shift cable by releasing the tab and popping it off the stem. Then squeeze the release tab for the interlock cable and remove it. Now remove the wiring connector and the 4 bolts that hold the shift control in place. Reverse the process to install the replacement.
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Friday, October 11th, 2019 AT 12:54 AM

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